What Is To Come - Becca

It is the last Friday of March and I just didn't want to see this month go by without some sort of blog going up! At this point in the blog, this was my original statement, but I had to go back and rewrite it - "So, I can't promise anything amazing, profound, or even somewhat entertaining. In fact, this quite possibly may be the shortest blog that I've written on here! THAT would be amazing! ;o)" - because, as has happened before something changed, and I pray it's something that will spur you on in your purpose in life, it's been doing so for me today. If you want to see the meat of it to decide if you think it's worth checking out, skip down to the 6th paragraph and then start again if you think it's worth your time. Okay, now we go back to what I originally wrote and how it progressed...

Well, let's see, I've been part-time at KGCR for 3 months now. Dave has been doing a great job, bringing in some different talent and enthusiasm to the station. I hope you've enjoyed getting to know him. Meanwhile, my days have been largely occupied with work at home, preparing for the baby. Today I've worked my way through a small mountain of laundry. I have been receiving a few baby gifts, and one of them was a box of gentle detergent for babies, so I took the opportunity to wash some socks, blankets and onesies (I didn't even know what those were until a few years ago) in anticipation of the little one.

This whole baby preparation stuff has been quite educational! This last Monday while I was at work, I shared with James and Dave that I've never changed a diaper. James was almost overly enthused about this fact and was eager to share it with his wonderful bride, Brenda. We all sort of chuckled at the mental picture that could be likened to the scene in the movie "Three Men and a Baby" where the guys were trying to change a diaper, holding the baby up and spraying her down with water (if I remember right)! Well, I know enough that this won't be a scene replayed in our house. Someone I know shared that she was in the same predicament when she had her first. Being the type to prepare, she said she got a doll and practiced changing diapers on it before her baby was born. In sharing with others of my lack of "motherly" experience, I've had several offers to come to their house and practice on their babies, however I think I'll reserve the privilege of such a momentous occasion in my life for our own little person.

Other than that, I've been learning a lot! Of course there is always a lot of advice thrown the way of brand new parents and as one of the "encouragers" in my life shares, you gotta seek the Lord, keep the good and throw out the rest. After all, God made that baby and He knows what's best. I've especially appreciated the handful of friends that have been amazing cheerleaders in this adventure. When talking to them, it helps me to remember that being a parent truly is one of the most important things in life as they remind me of the Godly mission that we are called to. After all, the Bible talks about how Godly offspring is to come from marriage (Malachi 2:15). And it was one of the things that God commissioned Adam and Eve to do (Genesis 1:28). Then there was the recommissioning post-fall and post-resurrection (Matthew 28:19). (Now let's see that this concept presented on a Valentine's or anniversary card) ;o) In the simple form, it's about world domination with the law of love. :o)

Whether single or married, with or without physical children, we have the mission to help populate the earth with children of God, either by raising children to lead them to passionately live for the Lord or to reach out to those who are trapped in the snares of death since birth and lead them to the One Who has the life-giving breath to set them free from it.

I really believe that the generation that is coming forth will be mightier and stronger in the Lord than we imagined. We are already seeing it take place. We hear stories of young people boldly taking a stand for life in a culture of death, denying their own chance at glory for the the greater purpose of Truth. I've heard of little children under the age of 5 having profound dreams about the Lord and His heart for the lost. I've seen children barely old enough to write to preteens - who could be consumed with Dora the Explorer and the latest pop sensation - crying out to the Lord from the depths of their being for mercy on this nation for turning it's back on Him. Recently, a teenager that I know, who has been going through a battle but had parents to pray her through, cried over the souls at her workplace. Another who is leaving his teen years shortly is about to get married and he and his young bride have a passion for Israel and long to go there to share the Messiah with His people.

Joel and I were talking about some of the concerns that we may have in raising these children in these times. A lot of them were pretty typical and were probably similar to what Godly parents have been discussing for the last few decades. But in the midst of the conversation, I believe the Holy Spirit rose up in us as we were talking and we were reminded that God is doing something big. When we look at our baby, it's not just a fun little "bundle of joy" to coo at and cuddle. Yes, that's to take place, but we are to also look at was is yet to be. Just as Abraham and Sara held an entire nation in that one promised miracle baby. Hannah held a prophet. Mary held the Savior. And it's because of that Savior that we can hold children for His glory. We are not a people who have to simply live in "defense" mode and sit in fear, hoping that our children will turn out right despite the relentless influence and enticement of the world and other children living in ungodly ways.

A friend told me a few days ago that when her oldest was 2 years-old, she felt the Lord speak to her about beginning to release him. He is the Lord's. Christian singer Sara Groves had shared that she doesn't just want to raise her kids to grow up, go to college, get a nice job, get married and raise kids to grow up, go to college, get a nice job, etc. She wants them to be raised with a heart for the Lord and for people, no matter where that takes them.

Can you see what He is doing? Yes, we must take the responsibilty to train up the children in the way that they should go, but remember that the ability is in His hands. Remember who Moses was raised by and how he ended up? Of course, that example isn't to throw us into passive mode, but to remember that it is He Who holds the power and He that loves them more than we do and He that knit them together for His purpose. There is something bigger and greater that this generation will be a part of that we haven't imagined yet, and we get to pray, train and encourage them toward it.

Yep, I'll probably have to keep this one so that I can go back and read it. :o) The next time I blog, will probably be on the other side of the birth. I'll be able to tell you how to change a diaper by then. :o) We appreciate prayers and I'm sure you'll be hearing about things on the radio.

Blessings,
Becca